College Running Back Rankings For 2009 Fantasy Football
College fantasy football is different than NFL fantasy football, and that fact could not be more evident than when you evaluate the running back position.
During a typical NFL fantasy football draft, about 90% of draft picks in the first two rounds are going to be running backs. In stark contrast for college fantasy football, only about 40% of draft picks in the first two rounds are going to be running backs.
That doesn’t mean the running back position isn’t important, however. And in 2009, there won’t be a more important running back to the success of your college fantasy team than Ball State’s MiQuale Lewis.
Our first edition of the 2009 college running back rankings for fantasy football are now available.
Ball State’s Lewis is the top scoring running back in college football returning from last season. The Cardinals senior scored 22 touchdowns on the ground and totaled 2,061 yards of offense as a junior. And in case you forgot, he doesn’t play for some slouch team – Ball State finished 12-2 and no. 22 in the BCS.
In college football, players on mid-major schools always seem to produce the top fantasy numbers. Below are three other running backs that might not steal the headlines each week like DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma or Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State, but will be just as important to the success of your college fantasy team in 2009.
- Andre Anderson, Tulane: Anderson amassed over 1,000 total yards (1,066 to be exact) and scored 8 times for the Green Wave in just 6 games and 4 touches in 2008. Anderson has returned for his senior season after missing the last 5 games for the Green Wave in ‘08 and appears to be fully recovered from his fractured/dislocated right shoulder. Are 2,000 total yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior unrealistic expectations? Perhaps, but if he maintains his pace from ‘08 those numbers are well within reach.
- James Starks, Buffalo: Starks missed two games for the Bulls last year and still managed to accumulate 1,794 yards and reach the end zone 17 times. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore as well, and each of the last two years he has received over 250 carries and 40 catches. As a senior, Starks should see well over 350 touches (he had 324 in ‘08 despite missing two games). 20 touchdowns and 2,000 total yards seem very likely for Starks as the Bulls try to defend their MAC championship.
- Bryce Beall, Houston: You can’t talk about a single college fantasy football position without mentioning some player from the Cougars. Beall is just a sophomore, but in the high scoring Cougar offense he scored 17 times and totaled 1,743 yards despite received only 232 touches in 2008. Assuming he stays healthy, Beall could be in line for as many as 100 more touches in 2009, meaning he could also score over 20 touchdowns and total well over 2,000 yards.
